Our Gift | Page 5

superintendent, or one of the teachers, addresses the Sabbath
school, calling the attention of the scholars generally to any fault, each
scholar ought to ask himself at once, 'Is it I?' and not look round
complacently and ask, 'Who can it be?' or say, 'I guess the speaker
means to refer to Lilly A or Edgar B.'"
"Well," said Mary, "I must confess that I have done this often, and
without being conscious of any wrong feelings; some how or other, I
did not consider that the reproof belonged to me; or ever ask myself if I
had committed the fault which was exposed."
"For this reason, I remarked," continued Mrs. S., "that children
insensibly contract this habit from their parents; and the defect extends
to physical as well as moral errors. Not long since, I had an interesting
conversation with Mr. R., a well-known philanthropist and physiologist,
who is devoting his life to the alleviation of some of the ills of human
existence. He told me that, a short time before, he delivered a lecture to
parents on the physical training of their children, and pointed out the
great mistakes which are often made. On retiring, said he, I overheard

many remarks, but not one spoke as if I had addressed him. Every one
could point to some one else who might well profit by the lecture; but
not one would believe that I meant to say to each individual present, as
Nathan said unto David, 'Thou art the man.'"
"I am sure," observed Clara, "I never felt the full force of this saying of
our Savior before, although I have read it a hundred times. I shall read
the whole chapter again, carefully, to-night."
"And so will I," added Mary.
"Do so, my children," said Mrs. S., "and read in the same careful spirit
the whole Sermon on the Mount, and all our Savior's teachings. Many
people, old and young, read the New Testament because they are told
to, without thinking that there is an active, living principle in it, a
thought to be treasured up and carried out in our daily lives, in almost
every word the Master uttered. Those who do read it in the true spirit,
find new pleasure and new instruction every time they peruse it.
"And finally, to come back to our subject, when you hear your
schoolmates making uncharitable remarks about others, use all your
influence, especially by your own example, to make them correct the
habit. And when you hear a sermon in church, or an address in the
school, where any faults are exposed, ask yourselves if the rebuke
applies to you; and if it does, set about correcting the fault immediately.
Do this always. 'Cast the beam out of thine own eye,' correct your own
errors, then will you see clearly to 'cast the mote out of thy brother's
eye.'"
Mary returned home that evening well pleased with the two
conversations she had taken part in; and better still, she and Clara
profited by them. I am happy to add, that their schoolmates are
gradually correcting many evil habits by the good example of these two
girls; and thus Mary and Clara have the double satisfaction of
improving their own conduct, and of being instrumental in improving
that of others.
BOYS BECOME MEN.

If you were to be boys always, and didn't need to know anything more
than just enough to enable you to enjoy your sports from day to day, it
would not be so necessary, perhaps, as it now is, to attend strictly to
your every-day studies; though the influences of the Sunday school
would be necessary, even then. Boys cannot enjoy their sports together,
unless they are truthful, just, and kind; and it is in the Sunday school
that these graces are most successfully acquired. But boys will become
men; and all the knowledge they can acquire in boyhood will become
serviceable in manhood. Therefore, boys should be diligent.
TO THE PORTRAIT OF FATHER BALLOU,
HANGING IN
MURRAY HALL.
O, much-loved features! Faithful counterpart
Of one we love, and
cherish, and revere;
Thy gentle influence shed o'er every heart,
And
be thy spirit ever present here.
Look from thy quiet resting-place on us,
With that familiar smile so
dear to all,
Which ever seems to speak of happiness,
And every
mourner would to hope recall.
Thro' childhood's sunny days and youth's bright morn,
Mid changes
and mid sorrows, thou hast been
A light to guide, a hope to cheer and
warm,
And to the heart bring joy and peace again.
And for thine honored form how fit the place,
Where childhood's ear
instruction would receive;
Preside o'er all, lend all our efforts grace,

To learn God's love, and on his word believe.
Thy Master's faithful servant! Who, in love,
Took little children in his
arms to bless;
While looking down from his bright